Security

Trim

Wheels

The vehicle information above was correct at time of manufacture. Please speak to the dealership for full current specification.

Technical specification

Emissions

CO

0.473

CO2 (g/km)

117

HC

0.0569

Noise Level dB(A)

67

NOx

0.035

Particles

0.0031

Standard Euro Emissions

EURO 6

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft

DOHC

Catalytic Convertor

True

CC

999

Compression Ratio

10.0:1

Cylinder Layout

IN-LINE

Cylinders

3

Cylinders - Bore (mm)

71.9

Cylinders - Stroke (mm)

82

Engine Layout

FRONT TRANSVERSE

Fuel Delivery

TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Gears

6 SPEED

Number of Valves

12

Transmission

MANUAL

Fuel Consumption

EC Combined (mpg)

55.4

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies

True

EC Extra Urban (mpg)

62.8

EC Urban (mpg)

45.6

General

Badge Engine CC

1.0

Badge Power

125

Coin Description

EcoBoost 125

Coin Series

Titanium

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07

17E

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years

12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years

1

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %

92

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %

83

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09

5

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %

50

NCAP Safety Assist %

71

Service Interval Frequency - Months

12

Service Interval Mileage

12500

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage

60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years

3

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months

120

Timing Belt Interval Mileage

150000

Vehicle Homologation Class

M1

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs)

11.4

Engine Power - BHP

125

Engine Power - KW

92

Engine Power - PS

True

Engine Power - RPM

6000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT

148

Engine Torque - MKG

20.4

Engine Torque - NM

200

Engine Torque - RPM

1400

Top Speed

116

Tyres

Alloys?

True

Space Saver?

True

Tyre Size Front

215/50 R17

Tyre Size Rear

215/50 R17

Tyre Size Spare

SPACE SAVER

Wheel Style

15 SPOKE

Wheel Type

17" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height

1610

Length

4379

Wheelbase

2648

Width

1828

Width (including mirrors)

2067

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)

55

Gross Vehicle Weight

1900

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down)

1684

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up)

432

Max. Loading Weight

584

Max. Roof Load

75

Max. Towing Weight - Braked

1200

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked

695

Minimum Kerbweight

1316

No. of Seats

5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb

10.7

The vehicle information above was correct at time of manufacture. Please speak to the dealership for full current specification.

Independent review

Review courtesy of Car and Driving

Ford C-MAX

Can a tiny 1.0-litre engine really do service in a hefty five-seat family car? Ford reckons it can in the much improved C-MAX. The experts at Car & Driving take a look.

Ten Second Review

Five into 1.0 will go. Ford's C-MAX 1.0-litre EcoBoost might not get anywhere too close to its claimed 55.4mpg fuel economy figure in the real world, but for low mileage shop and school run duties, it's perfectly adequate. With 100PS or 125PS on tap, there's a bit of choice available too.

Background

It was once explained by a senior suit in the Lockheed corporation that there was a simple algebraic formula to assess the time it took for an aircraft to go from initial design to operational use by the US Air Force. It turned out that this period was directly proportional to the size of the Air Force oversight committee chosen to 'guide' the aeroplane design. It's a similar story in big automotive companies - which is one reason why it took Ford so long to develop credible compact MPVs and SUVs for the European market.
Where the company has been ahead of the game though, is in its development of downsized three cylinder turbo petrol engines. The brand's 1.0T EcoBoost unit, first introduced on the Focus and subsequently added in to the Fiesta and B-MAX line-ups, has been widely copied by rival brands. Even so, when the Blue Oval marque decided to introduce the powerplant into its C-MAX MPV model in 2013, many wondered if a step too far had been taken. These fears proved groundless. The little engine proved quite up to powering a relatively large car - and has been retained on the improved C-MAX model we're going to look at here as a decent, more affordable alternative to a diesel for lower mileage buyers.

Driving Experience

Ford offers the 999cc EcoBoost engine in two specific flavours. There's an entry-level 100PS version, which gets to 62mph in 12.6 seconds and tops out at 108mph. Or there's the punchier 125PS variant which translates those numbers to 11.4s and 116mph. Whichever engine you choose, you'll probably be pleased with the breadth of torque. They both idle quietly yet will offer meaningful urge from less than 1500rpm through to nearly 6,000rpm without the sort of lag and lunge that small capacity turbocharged engines often display. Of course, the 170Nm of torque common to both units isn't going to rival that of a diesel engine but believe it or not, these 1.0-litre units never feel reedy.
There's also the not insignificant benefit that instead of following a huge lump of diesel engine, you have a very lightweight piece of engineering plumbed into the nose, and that does wonders for the C-MAX's responsiveness. Ride comfort remains very good but initial turn-in is improved markedly and body control is leagues better than the diesel models. Couple that with good steering and decent grip levels and you have a vehicle that after an initially unpromising start, emerges as something you'd actually drive the long way home from the school run.

Design and Build

The design of this C-MAX is evolutionary, with many of the details being brought up to date to reflect contemporary Ford thinking. The dynamic styling delivers a stronger, sleeker front end, featuring Ford's distinctive inverted trapezoidal grille. The washer jets have been hidden underneath the windscreen to give a cleaner look while the tailgate has been given a smoother and more sophisticated one-piece appearance.
Inside, you'll find a dash that's a lot less fussy than the previous model, reflecting the customer-led design refinements that have already been executed on the Focus. There are fewer controls and switches, while the smart black satin trim and chrome detailing contributes to a cleaner look. Functions are simpler to use, such as the air-conditioning controls that now feature buttons that are easier to recognise and distinguish from each other. Practicality improves too, with a redesigned centre storage console. The seats still tumble down individually in one motion to create a flat floor, with over 470-litres of space with all five seats in place. If you need more room than that and the option of a third seating row, there's always the Grand C-MAX model to consider.

Market and Model

Ford offers a three model line-up to 1.0T EcoBoost C-MAX buyers, with the familiar Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X trims. Opt for the first two and there's a choice of either 100PS or 125PS power outputs, but the flagship trim level is limited to the pokier powerplant. All are equipped with a six-speed manual box, with the Zetec opening at just over £18,000. There's a £500 premium if you want to progress from the 100PS to the 125PS variant. From there, it's a big step up to the Titanium model at over £20,000. At the top of the range is the Titanium X 125PS model, which needs a budget of nearly £23,000.
So what do you get? The Zetec models are fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, heated door mirrors, air-con and a DAB radio. The Titanium versions get 17-inch alloys, automatic lights and wipers, climate control, a start button and cruise control, while the £2k premium for the Titanium X buys you xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof, part-leather seats, heated front seats and a different style of 17-inch alloy wheels.
Options include one of those tailgate opener which operate when you wave your foot under the bumper, a perpendicular parking system and Active City Stop collision avoidance that operates at up to 31mph. Ford's latest Sync2 voice-activated connectivity system is also on offer, delivering smartphone sync and the chance to control some of the car's minor functions by voice command.

Cost of Ownership

Although there are obvious benefits in terms of handling and upfront price over a diesel C-MAX, can the 1.0-litre petrol variant really justify itself on the balance sheet? If you're set to cover modest mileages that may well be the case, but it's worth remembering that the claimed miles per gallon figure of 55.4mpg will probably translate into about 40mpg in real world use. The petrol car counters by being cheaper to tax, cheaper to insure and cheaper to service as well. Given that petrol is around 8 per cent cheaper than diesel fuel, it's probably just about enough to swing the balance in the 1.0-litre car's favour if you're not looking to wear a groove in the nation's motorway network.
Emissions are rated at 117g/km whether you choose the 100 or 125PS powerplants, and with a price difference of just £500 between the two, we'd be tempted to go for the 125PS unit and live with the fact that the key differences between the cars are just a few lines of code in the ECU. Insurance ratings open at Group 11 and top out at a modest Group 14. By contrast, an entry-level C-MAX diesel carries a Group 16 rating.

Summary

This is an interesting car and one that Ford should be applauded for bringing to market. Your initial natural reaction will probably be that slotting a tiny engine into a relatively large compact MPV car has 'bad idea' written all over it, but such is the gutsiness of the turbocharged 999cc powerplant that it's certainly up to the job. You'll also enjoy the handling benefits of having such a lightweight unit up-front, as well as the refinement of petrol power. Making the car work financially will clearly depend on how many miles you plan to do, with higher mileage drivers finding that diesel's probably going to work out better for their needs.
Ford has been a company that's mired many of its product decisions in bureaucracy, leading to it often being behind the eight ball when it comes to the rapidly evolving European market. Despite this, when its products do make landfall, they're usually extremely thoroughly engineered, and this C-MAX 1.0-litre EcoBoost is no exception. It sounds so wrong - but it's shot through with the right stuff.

Performance

60%

Handling

90%

Comfort

70%

Space

70%

Styling

80%

Build

70%

Value

70%

Equipment

80%

Economy

80%

Depreciation

70%

Insurance

80%

** MPG figures are obtained in laboratory testing and intended for comparisons between vehicles. Please be aware they're not intended to represent real world efficiency.